Apparatus for treating fluids.



. 11-13. WESTON. f APPARATUS FOR-TREATING FLUIDS. ArLIoATlon HLBDMAY 1, 1911. 1,094,618. Y Patented Apr. 28,1914.

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" Eu/enten' H. T. WESTON. APPARATUS POR TRBATING FLUIDS.

Patented-Apr. 28, .1914

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1, 1911.

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DDDDD emanations produced by electricity. Appa- .rat-us of this type are generally known as `citizen of the United States. residing at the conductors, if the apparatus is properly HERBERT T.VWESTON, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

APPARATUS Fon 'r roeiers.

Specification of Application filed May 1, 19H. Serial N0. 624,405;

T0 all 'whom 'it may concern n Be it known that I, Hnnnn'r T. lV'Es'roN, a

Cleveland in the county of Cuyahoga and State of hio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in vApparatus for Treating Fluids, of which thef`ollowing is a. full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to apparatus for the treatment of fluids, especially gases, by subj eating the fluid to silent discharges or other ozonizers or apparatus for producing ozone, but I do not care to so describe the apparatus, for while it is eminently successful for the production ofozone, it may be used for other purpo-ses.

Heretofore, it has generally been considered essential for the production of a successful apparat-us of this type that the iiat dielectrics or other members between which the static discharges take place and between which the air, oxygen or other fluid which is being treated passes, be arranged very close together. It has also been thought essential that the voltage impressed on the conductors be maintained at a fairly low value, that is, very low as compared with the voltages which I find can be impressed on constructed. Therefore largely for these reasons, and because of fallacious theories, apparatus for the production of ozone, or for the treatment of fluids by vstatic discharges, have been provided with very narrow spaces for the passage of Huid to be treated, and as'a result, the apparatus so far produced has either been ill-suited for commercial use on a large scale or if adapted for practical commercial use, have been exceedingly bulky and'expensive, and inefficient as regards the energy expended intheir use. Furthermore, even with some of the best examples of apparatus of thistype, a cool-ing or refrigeration system has been necessary to avoid an encessive rise of temperature.

By careful experiments which I have conducted, I have made certain important discoveries disproving the prior theories which for some reason or other have generally been acceptedy as true, and upon these dis coveries, the construction of mv apparatus is'Hased, the object of the invention being to provide an apparatus of the-character stated ated.

-sive temperature rises.

REATING FLUIDS.

Letters Patent- Iartented Apr. 2S, 1914.

which is highly ellicient, especially as compared with even the best forms ofy apparatus heretofore constructed; which admits of the treatment of a gas or other fluid in large volumes suitable for any commercial uses'; and with a minimum expenditure of elec trical energy.

Further, the invention aims to accomplish the object above stated with an apparatus which is inexpensive, occupies little space,

is easy to assemble, or to disassemble in case .repairs or changes are desired, and which in fact is eminently suited for almost any use to which an apparatus of this'kind can bc put, whether the apparatus is to be used for the treatment of fluid on a small scale, such as for laboratory use, or on an exceedingly large scale for Ventilating purposes, for

bleaching or disinfectant purposes, or forl the treatment ofair supplied to blast furnaces, inthe latter case-the treatment be-' ing for the purpose of assisting in the`I elimination of moisture from the air, and other uses which need notV be here enumer- For example, I have discovered tha-t the conductors and dielectrics needfnot be closely arranged, button the other hand canV be spaced a considerable distance apart, and at the-same time the necessary intensity of cmanations can be obtained by impressing on the conductors the required voltage, Without subjecting the apparatus to exces- Thus very large spaces can be provided for the passage of fluid to be treated, and much larger volumes of the fluid can be passed through thev apparat-us and treated in a give-n time than has heretofore been possible. In fact, I find that the conductors and dielectrics of the different cells can be-spaced any desired` distance apart, within reasonable limits for a certain intensity of emanations, if the proper voltage is impressed on the conduc tors. 1

. I. find also that when the space between ,two dielectrics is varied, the change in voltage required to maintain the same intensity of' ema-nations is in each case substantially proportionate to the change in the space between the dielectrics, although the percentage of change of voltage@isizonsiderably less than the percentage of'cnange of spacing. In other words, the ratio of the increment of voltage to the t'oruier voltage is not proportionate to, and is considerably 'less than, the ratio oi the increment of space to the former `space. From this discovery, I conclude that to produce any intensity of discharge between two dielectrics separated by a given space 'considerable electrical energy is required to energize the dielectrics.

havealso made the further important discovery that to produce a discharge between two dielectrics across a narrow space, requires a greater expenditure of ener than i's required to produce a similar dischar'ge with a higher voltage, in excess of 20,000 volts, across a greater space. As the space between the dielectrics is increased, the voltage must be increased an amount proportionate to the extent of increase of the space, but the consumption of energy is neither constant, nor is it increased, but is in fact decreased. This can be explained by the fact that at the higher voltages which I .employ, less energy is required to energize the dielectrics thanV at the lower voltages. I find that this rule does not seem to be true in case the discharge'takes place from a conductor t0 .a dielectric, but only when the discharge takes place between two dielectrics. In observing these phenomena, it seems that the dischar e which takes place from a conductor to. a dielectric is of a different character from that which takes place between two dielectrics. It is largely for these reasons, as will appear presently, that in my apparatus I employ two dielectrics separated by a conductor which is preferably at all points in direct engagement or contact with the dielectrics.

I find also that the greater the spacing of the dielectrics of 'the cells and the greater the voltage impressed on: the conductors, the smaller the temperature rises in the appara-tus. This is due to two causes. First, with the wider spacing of the dielectrics, a

greater volume of fluid is treated in a unit of.

time than with the -clo'serspacing, assuming that the rate of flow is constant, and conseuently the refrigeration or the coolino of t e apparatus, due to the fluid itsel is greatly enhanced. The second and perhaps most important reason for-the smaller teinperature rises at the higher voltagesis that when the higher voltages are employed, there is less electrical energy consumed, and consequently less heat generated in the apparatus.

Furthermore, I find that by varying the impressed voltage, preferably by varying the secondary voltage of -a transformer, I can maintain a substantially constant intensity of emanations at varying rates of flow ot the Huid, which is necessary on account of the increasing of the rate of flow affecting ad- Versely the intensity of the emanations; and as the conductivity or character of the fluid changes. For example, if air is being treat`- ed, by increasing or decreasing the voltage,

as the amount of moisture in the air varies,

(decreasing the `voltage on an increase of moisture and vice versa), the intensity of emanations can be maintained constant. The intensity of emanations are with my apparatus capable of observation, because of the particular construction of the apparatus.

It is upon these discoveries and theories which I have proven conclusively to be true, that I have basedthe construction of my improved apparatus. which is shownin the drawings and described below.

In the dravyings, Figure l is a side elevation of my improved apparatus with parts broken away and in section; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same with portions broken away and in section; Fig. 3 is a partial end view ,and partial transverse vertical section; Fig. 4 is a conventional representation of the transformer and voltage regulator, this view showingl also a part or' thc base of the apparatus; F 5 is a detailr sectional view of a portion of the voltage regulator.

In the 'present case, I have shown the apparatus mounted upon a horizontal base 10, and arranged so that the air or other gas treated may pass upwardl; through the apparatus fromthe bottom t0 the top thereof. The base 10 has a suitable rectangular opening in which is seated a sub-base 11, which supports an oblong shaped rack 12, including vertical corn'er members 12, upper horizontal members 12b and lower horizontal members 12, the latter resting on the subbase 11. At the top of the frame and secured to itis a rectangular box-like air or fiuid ,guide 13, and at the bott-om of the frame and extending down into a suitable rectangular opening in the sub-base is a similar frame or box-like air guide 13a. To these air guides funnels may be attached to conduct the iiuid to and fronrthe spaces between the cells of the apparatus. Supported in this rack between the horizontal and vertical members thereof and in this case arranged in vertical or upright positions are a number of cells 14, each consisting of two flat dielectrics 14, and an intermediate fiat conductor 141, in contact with the dielectrics at all points of its side faces, the dielectrics being preferably formed of glass and projecting beyond the conductors in all directions except at one point where the conductor has an arm or extension 14C- for the purpose of electric connection, this arm projecting beyond' one end of the cell or beyond the two inclosing dielectrics. The dielectrics extend beyond the conductors a suiiicient distance to prevent even at the highest voltages 'to be used, the formation of a jump spark, either from a conductor or -its extension 14 to a conductor or to the surface of a dielectric associated therewith. Preferably the conductors 14b are fastened` to the inclosing dielectrics and the dielectrics are fastened together -simply by the use of a suitable adhesive. Thes ace between the edges of the conductor an y the outer edges of the two dielectrics is not hermetically sealed or closed, as I 'prefer that this space be open at the two ends of the cell. However, the top and bottom edges of the cell or so much of it as is located between' the horizontal supporti-ng members of the rack are sealed, as shown at 14d, so as to prevent the entrance of any portion of the fluidbeing treated as it passes through the apparatus, and so as to prevent the escape of such fluid and to avoid any deleteriodsaction of oxygen on the conductor employed in the cell.

The difieren-t cells are 'held a Iredetermined distance apart by means o" yvertical spacers 15 .which are preferably mfade of glass and held in position by reasohjof the fact that their upper 'and lowijldnds. are placed in suitable notches in ltdfiwhich extend horizontally over the top and alon the bottom ofthe cells, and are clamped between the frame and the adjacent sides of the air guides 13 and 13a at the top and bottom of the rack respectively. To prevent any of the fluid being treated from passing between the vertical edges of the spacers 15,4

and the adjacent surfaces of the 'dielectrics, the junction of each spacer and the corresponding dielectrics is sealed -by vertical sealing strips 15b which may. consist simply of strips of paper or cloth fastened by adhesive into thelcorners formed by the spacers and dielectrics. Arranged between the lower guide 13a and the Huid spaces between all the different cells is a 'screen 13 which is provided for the purpose of causing a uniform -distribution of 'the fluid through all the spacesV and through all parts thereof.

Preferably, the extensions 14 of the conductors' of one half of the cells which are larranged lalternately with respect to the other half, project beyond the dielectrics at one end of the apparatus, and the extensions of the conductors of the remaining cellsproject beyond the dielectrics at the opposite end of the apparatus. The conductors of one set of cells are all connectedin parallel to a horizontal terminal-bar 16, by means of a series of pivoted connectors 17, and the conductors of the 5 remaining cells or ofthe.

opposite polarity are connected to .a similar horizontal' terminal lbar 16a by pivoted lconv nectors 17e. :These connectorsl?I and 17a are pivot-ed to the ends of the extensions le ofthe conductors so that they may be swung upwardly or downwardly and at their loweror outer ends are provided with hooleshaped"portionsl which "are adapted when lowered to receive the terminal bar 16 and l.when swung4 upwardly to vbe disconnected from the bar so that the corre;l

sponding cells will be disconnectedor putl out of'use. In this way. the' capacity' vof the apparatus can bemreadily varied to suit requirements. The terminal bars 16 and 16a are mounted in suitable terminalpostsy 18,

and are electrically connected by means of binding screws 18':l to conductors 19 and 19' which are connected to the secondary 20EL of a high voltage transformer 20 having a primary 20". Thus, it will be seen that with this apparatus so far described, one half 'of the conductors are electrically connected to one side of the alternating current circuit, and the remaining conductors are connected to the opposite side of the circuit.

The relation between the width of the spacers or lthe distance between the'adjacent `dielectrics of the different cells and the voltage impressed on the conductors of the cells is very important, and it is the basis of cells are spaced apart a great deal farther than has heretofore lbeen thought possible, and while I do not believe it to be essential to state the exact spacing of the dielectrics or the exact voltages employed, as these values may be varied considerably when they are above certain amounts, I may state that the novel results and advantages described above are obtained when the in1- pressed voltage is in excess of 20,000 volts and when the cells are spaced apart in proportion to the voltages used. However, the spacing and voltages are I believe limited only by the capacity of the current and voltage supplying ,apparatus I may say,

however, that as an example of comparativev spaced approximately one inch apart, and

the electrical energy consumed will 'be`I approximately 24 watts per hundred square inches of dielectric surface, and that for the same intensity of emanations .with a voltage of 8,000 to 12,000 volts, the dielectrics will be spaced from 3g to l; of an inch apart, and the electrical energy consumed will be in excess of 50 watts for 100 squareinches of dielectric surface. It will be suflicient -to sta-te, in order to form a proper basis for the subject matter tobe claimed, that for a certainintensit-y of emanations, the spacing 'of the dielectrics or the width of the fluid passageways, and the voltage impressed on the conductors have a fixed relation, and the voltage which is impressed with the certain 'spacing of the dielectrics, is such that the actual wattage consumed in the-apparatus is less than with a closer spacing, and with a smaller impressed voltage. And

vfurther, the spacing of the dielectrics and the voltage are such that a large volume of Huid may be passed through the apparatus, even at a low `rate of speed, with the result :that the refrigeration or cooling by the Huid the high efficiency of the apparatus. The

itself, will -be very extensive. Thus by providing veryy wide spaces for the passage of -the fluid vbeing treated, I produce an ei- .cie-nt machine of very large capacity, al-

though of relatively small proportions, and number of cells. Y

To vary the intensity of emanations or to maintain a constant intensityunder varying conditions 'of How of the fiuid treated, or in the conductivity of the fluid, such as is .caused by a variation in the amount of moisture in the air, assuming that air is being gagement with. a conducting strip 21d, to

which the conductor 18, previously referred to, is connected. The contact 21c is connected to the rod 21u by means of an insulating' member 21e which is secured to the rod and is guided in its movements by the strip' 21, and a second strip 21f, parallel to the strip 21". The contact 21c is adapted to bemoved over a series of relatively stationary contacts 21rg which are electrically'connec'ted to the taps 21h connected to different oints of the secondary 20a of 'the transformer 20. Thus, by simply shifting the rod '21El the voltage impressed on the conductors of the cells can be varied, as before stated, and for the purposes stated.

It will be understood that if it is desired to vary the intensity of emanations or to maintain a constant intensity under the varying conditions previously stated, all that is necessary to do is to vary the voltage impressed on the. conductors of the cells, and 4at the high voltages which I employ, even though the intensity of emanations 1s increased by increasing theA voltage, assuming that the spacing of the cells remains the same, there is but a small comparative increase in Wattage consumed, so that the higher the voltage impressed, the more efficient the apparatus becomes. l

Preferably, the movable vor operating portions of the voltage regulator are mounted on -thef'fbase 10, and preferably the transformer is arranged adjacent to the main portion of the apparatus, such as on the lower side) of the base so' as to avoid the necessity vfor long conductors carrying-high voltage currents.

I may sayat this point, that the apparatus is not inclosed in any casing which would interfere with the observing of the kthe purpose of person coming in contact with or in too close intensityof emanations. I may if desired inclose the apparatus with which need not be closed at the top, or may be so if desired,-this case being merely for preventing accident by any proximity to'. highly charged parts or parts of high potential. The operator can, because of this construction, observe the intensity or character of the emanations or of the static discharges through the glass spacers 15, and by observing the character of the emanations or discharges, can determine whether or not the voltage should be varied.

Not only is the apparatus described above compact and very small in proportion for a given output or volume of' iuid treated in a given time, but itis inexpensive and any of the parts can be readily removed in case repairs or changes are found necessary or desirable. For example, if any one of the cells shouldbecome damaged by a break or puncture of the dielectric, all that is necessary, to Y do is to loosen the vertical seals 15b and slide the defective cell out of the rack.. If it is desired to use the apparatus without the one cell, all Athat .it is necessary to do, is to place a plug into the space between the two adjacent spacers so as to prevent the escape of any uid which is passed through the a a glass case 22- paratus. Furthermore, as before stated, the capacity of the machine can be varied by simply swinging out of engagement with the terminal bars 16 or 16a any desired number ofthe connectors 17 or 17.

I do not desire to be coniined to the exact details or arrangement` shown, to the particular materials specified, nor to any particular spacing of' dielectries, or impressed voltage except to such spacingand voltage asis required to effect the saving of energy and the reduction in heat generated, as described above. Further', while I have shown one form of the apparatus which is designed for use with a confined fluid system, I Wish itto bev understood that the particular form and construction of the apparatus may be varied considerably in accordance with the particular purpose for which the apparatus is intended.

Having thus described my invention, what I claimis:

1. In an apparatus for the treatment of iuids by static discharges; a pair of conductors adapted to be connected to opposite sides of a high voltage electric circuit, a pair of flat ldielectrics between the conductors,

the dielectricsbeing separated by a space.

for the passage of fluid to be treated the spacing of the dielectrics or the width of the Huid space being such that with an impressed voltage necessary to produce a certain intensity of emanations, there is a less expenditure of electrical energy than for the samaintensity of emanations produced fluids v`by static discharges, a plurality of.

cells each comprising a pair of Hat dielectiics and a flat conductor clamped between the saine, transparent spacers separating the cells and holding the same a predetermined distance apart, and means for supporting the cells so as to leave unobstructed the View of the discharge through the transparent spacers and so as to permit the'removal of any of the cells, 'comprising an open-ended rack.

4. In an apparatus for the treatment of iiui'ds by static discharges, a plurality of` cells each consisting of a pair of at dielectrics and Va fiat conductor clamped between the same 'and in engagement with the sides thereof, transparent spacers separating the cells and holding the same apredetermned distance apart, means sealiiigthe junction of the spacers and cells, and means for supporting the cells so as to permit the removal of any of the latter and so as to permit the observation of the discharge through thetransparent. spacers comprising a rack open at' two opposite sides atwhich the fluid 'enters 1 and leaves thev apparatus,"an'dy open at vthe ends opposite the spacers'. y z

5. In an' apparatus .for the treatment of uids by static discharges, a plurality of cells composed of atdielectrics and conductors, the cells being spaced apart for the passageof fluid to 'be treated, a frame supporting the cells, the conductors each having any extension projecting outwardly beyond .the associated dielectrics, a pair of terminal conductors, and connectors pivoted to said extensions and loosely engaging said terminal conductors, whereby any of the cells' can be disconnected by swinging the connectors out of engagement with the conductors.

6. In an apparatus for the treatment of {iuids by static discharges, a plurality of cells each consisting of a pair of flat dielectrics and a flat conductor fastened between .the same and in engagement with the sides thereof, the dielectrics extending outwardly vbeyond the edges of the conductor a sufficient distance to avoid the occurrence of a ductor'o'r from a conductor to a dielectric, spacers between the cells for holding the latter a'predetermined distance apart, means for supporting the cells comprising a rack open attwo sides and at the ends, the dielectrics` eX-tending; outwardly beyond vthe endsof the rack, means at one side of the j ump spa-rk from ai conductor to a conrack orfcondu'ctng Huid to be treated to the,

spaces betweenthefcells, land meansl at the*v oppQSite'fffside/of -the rack forA conducting 1 fluid awayfijom the spaces between the cells,- thej auctions' between the spacers and cells being sealed, and the spaces between fthe di`` electrics :off each cellv being sealed along the longitudinalfedges of' the dielectrics. l g

f In testimony'whereof, I hereunto affix my p f signature `inthe presence of twoy witnesses. 

